George Hermsdoerfer
The Kentucky Post, Monday, July 3, 1899, page 1
THE FATE OF ENGINEER HERMSDOERFER
Accident was Due to His Own Carelessness
HE BEGAN CLEANING BOILER
Without Making as Examination of the Steam Gauge
George Hermsdoerfer, an engineer, 48, living on South Gales Street, Newport, was probably fatally injured early Monday morning, owing to his own carelessness. Hermsdoerfer is employed as engineer at the Julien & Kener Shoe Company at 320 East Fourth Street.
When he arrived Monday morning he prepared to clean the boiler of the plant. He had banked his fire Saturday night and supposing the boiler free of steam, set about his task without consulting the steam gauge. This neglect will cost him his life. As he unclamped the cover of the boiler manhole to crawl in he was met with a fearful rush of steam, which by its force, hurled him across the room and scalded him about the arms, face and breast in a terrible manner. His skull was fractured and he was unconscious when found.
Patrol 2 was hastily summoned and the injured man hurried to the City Hospital. There it was discovered that he had inhaled the steam and his case was hopeless.